As Co-Director of the BIA, Kanako's main duties include managing all things at the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Center. She strives every day to provide a space that is welcoming and inclusive for all. Serving as a hub for the BIA's numerous services like affordable counseling, the AWC is also home to a martial arts dojo and several non-profit partners and regularly hosts diverse wellness programs such as yoga, dance, and tutoring for all community members to enjoy.  

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Kanako has been a proud Broadmoor resident since 2009. Her work with the BIA started as a Block Captain, Communications Consultant, and most recently the AWC Office Manager. Kanako attended Tulane University Newcomb College (2006) to study Psychology and Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and completed her Masters from the Tulane University School of Social Work (2007). Following Katrina, she worked as a school social worker before opening a retail boutique called Kawaii NOLA on Magazine Street. Kanako has also worked for several local businesses including Mignon Faget, Lionheart Prints, and Tubby & Coo’s Mid-City Bookshop.

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Kanako loves that so many neighborhood gems like the Keller Library, El Pavo Real, and Hey Cafe are within walking distance. In her free time, she loves to explore the city with her kids and support small businesses. She enjoys reading, spending time outdoors, and DIY craft projects.

As Co-Director of the BIA, Marion oversees the wellness team and the many community programs sponsored by the BIA. In addition, they maintain a caseload of therapy clients and manage the MSW internship program. Marion hopes to continue helping the BIA grow to serve the most important needs of the neighborhood.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Marion attended Loyola New Orleans for undergrad and moved out of state to attend the University of Southern California for their Masters in Social Work. She is trained in Relational Gestalt therapy and certified in Perinatal Mental Health and LGBTQ+ care. Marion has worked with a wide variety of people and programs in the last 8 years she’s been in social services and those experiences have both informed and equipped her to be of service at the BIA.

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They love walking along the wellness trail and critter spotting in the community gardens. She also loves spending time with their dog Pearl, costuming, and doing all things New Orleans.

As Community Relations Manager, Natori leads the BIA’s engagement with the

neighborhood with BIA core staff. She is responsible for the BIA’s volunteer coordination efforts and manages quality of life concerns in the community. Natori leads various community programs and events, including EatMoor and SpringMoor, the Tool Lending Library, and the Broadmoor Community Gardens. Natori is a lifelong Broadmoor resident and enjoys servicing the community she grew up in. She loves walking the Broadmoor Arts & Wellness Trail.

Jonah primarily provides talk therapy services for individuals and couples. He also supports our social work interns with group supervision and through educational presentations about particular therapy concepts. He has been integral in getting the bi-monthly Repair Cafe program up and running! Jonah's role at BIA is expanding as he takes over running our Continuing Education Units program for mental health professionals and expands our internal professional development services.

Jonah received his MSW from SUNO in 2018, and is Advanced Trained in Emotionally Focused Therapy and Level 1 Trained in Internal Family Systems. Jonah is a big fan of the lo-mein plate at Cajun Seafood! He is fascinated by all ways of trying to live more intentionally, odd but intuitive ways of moving our bodies, and the limits of human vulnerability. He loves plants and our human relationships with them and loves building with alternative materials.

AK  helps to cover front desk shifts while providing support for our community programs and administrative assistance. 

Laura Decuir is a Louisiana native who has lived in New Orleans for the last decade. She graduated from Tulane University with a BFA in Music in 2014 and MA in English in 2015, and is currently a student of the Tulane Masters of Social Work program. She has worked for several years in fundraising development for higher education at Tulane. In her role at the BIA, Laura focuses on case management and clinical work. Laura is passionate about mental health, music and arts, improv comedy, and funny cat videos.